How To Keep Cat Out Of Bassinet

Are you wondering how to keep cat out of bassinet? Boundaries are an essential part of baby self-care. They are healthy, normal, and necessary. As a natural creature, it’s no brainer that your cat will want to check out your newly assembled bassinet.

The presence of cats inside the bassinet is not safe for your baby. Infants are weak and vulnerable to diseases. Their immune system is not well-developed, which means that even a house pet that is vaccinated and regularly groomed can be a threat to your baby.

Also, since the bassinet is compact, sleek, and just large enough to hold the baby weight up to 15-20 lbs. Therefore, any additional weight of a pet present in the bassinet increases the risk of the bassinet collapsing under pressure.

Why You Must Keep A Cat Out Of Bassinet

According to the (AAP American Academy of Pediatrics), about 3,500 infants die from sleep-related causes annually. These include factors like SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), ill-defined deaths, and unintended suffocation or strangulation.

Here are some of the reasons why pets including cats must be kept away from babies:

They can transfer germs by licking your baby’s face.
A cat may try to sit on your baby’s face while he is asleep in his crib, which might restrict him from breathing.
Pets, especially cats, are stubborn. They may scratch or turn violent.
Cats may carry allergens and germs and this can pose a threat to your baby as they may prove problematic or even fatal.

How To Keep Cat Out Of Bassinet? 7 Practical Tips

1. Close The Bassinet From The Top

For beginners, you could purchase a bassinet that has a canopy. By doing this, your baby won’t be exposed to excess light that can make it harder for him to fall asleep.

More importantly, the canopy attachment protects your baby from cats. This ensures your inquisitive furry friend won’t try to snuggle next to him.

2. Keep Your Cat Active Throughout The Day

This is another effective trick to keep a cat out of the bassinet. By getting your cat a new toy to play in another room will keep your cat occupied and prevent it from getting too curious about your newborn.

Here are a few ways to keep your cat active throughout the day:

Get your cat trees and condos for climbing and perching
Engage them in agility training
Leash walking
Have them hunt for food
Use remote-controlled cat toys

3. Install A Screen Door

Another way to keep a cat out of the bassinet is to install a screen door in your baby’s room. This ensures that your cat is kept out of the bassinet and also allows you to check on your baby without waking them up.

Interestingly, a screen door helps to restrict access without impeding proper airflow which is particularly important during the warmer periods.

4. Get A Pet Pen

Consider setting up a large pet pen in the baby nursery If your cat loves being around your baby. This should have a door and covering to control your cat’s movements in and out of the baby’s room. This also provides a decent amount of space where your cat can play and exercise.

5. The Foil Trick

This trick works like magic! I’ve recommended it to some of my friends and they all confirm their cat did not go back in the bassinet after they tried it.

When your baby is not in the bassinet, cover the mattress area of the bassinet with aluminum foil. You’ll be amazed that once your cat jumps in, he will be startled and jump right out. Just allow your cat to do it a few times and he will learn. No more cat in the bassinet.

6. Use An Ultrasonic Cat Deterrent Next To The Bassinet

Another trick you can use to keep a cat out of the bassinet is to use an ultrasonic deterrent. This is a motion-activated gadget that works by sending an ultrasonic sound any time it detects movement.

The best thing about this ultrasonic device is that it doesn’t make enough sound to wake your baby up.

7. The Reward System Approach

The moment you see your cat in your baby bassinet, your response will likely be to remove the cat and take it elsewhere.

For this trick to work, you have to be hesitant and determined. When your cat finally starts resting in the appropriate area, reward your cat using treats or toys. By doing this, your cat will start associating resting in the right area with rewards.

Why Cats Love The Bassinet?

Cats are very inquisitive creatures, which is why you’ll find them smelling, tasting, listening to, and observing things in their surroundings.

Cats are social animals this is why they are always drawn to bassinets. That is, like us, they have a desire to create meaningful relationships with those around them.

So when you see your cat climbing onto your baby’s bassinet, they’re simply trying to interact with the newest member of the family.

Since cats love cozy spaces and the bassinet is one area where they’ll feel very comfortable. Therefore, if your cat ends up cozying up too close to your baby’s face, chances are that they may suffocate your baby.

Be mindful that your baby cannot turn around or move his head much. So to be on the safer side, always keep your cat away from the bassinet. Other sleep guidelines that the AAP recommends for babies are:

Make sure you lay your baby to sleep on his back and a firm surface like a bassinet or crib. Also, this sleeping surface should be lined with a tight-fitting sheet.
Keep the bassinet or crib plain and simple. That is no bumpers, pillows, or soft toys.
It is not advisable to expose your baby to smoke, alcohol, or illicit drugs.

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Winding Up

If you’ve just brought your baby home, it’s best advised you create boundaries to keep cats and other pets away from his bassinet or crib. This ensures that your baby is completely safe, especially when he’s asleep.

However, while it’s important to make sure your cat does not get in your baby’s bassinet that does not mean that you have to get rid of your cat entirely.

Rather by following the above measures above, you can keep your cat out of your baby’s bassinet at a safe distance, which is ideal if you wish to enjoy life with your newborn and your pet cat.

I hope you found this article “how to keep cat out of bassinet” helpful and hopefully, it will help you to make your decision in the future.

Kindly leave a comment below if you have any questions or if you’d like to share your experience with us on how to keep cat out of bassinet.